Kinsey was really moved during her visit to Rwanda. Most are familiar with the terrible genocide in which nearly one million people were killed in 1994. Every Rwandan she met her age or older lived through the horrors that engulfed a beautiful Central African nation nicknamed ‘Land of a Thousand Hills.’
A young man named Charles led Kinsey’s group of college students on a memorial tour around Kigali, the capitol. Kinsey said Charles was one of the most joyful persons she has ever met. Several wondered how this could be true of one who witnessed the brutal murder of his father, mother, and older sister. Thirteen-year-old Charles hid in a cave for months, eating roots, bark, and anything else he could find to survive. He emerged from the hills, skin and bones, many days after the fighting had stopped. So how does a boy traumatized in such a horrible way grow up to be a young man characterized by happiness? Charles told the group, God was the only answer, but he, himself, had to take an important step. He had to forgive.
Immaculee Ilibagiza proclaims the same message in her book, ‘Left To Tell,’ chronicling her amazing story. After the Hutus had been driven from the land, surviving Tutsis found themselves in charge of towns and prisons holding many who had slaughtered their neighbors. One such leader dragged the very man who had murdered Immaculee’s mother and oldest brother to face her. “We found your dad’s farm machinery at his house, didn’t we? He wanted you dead so he could take over your property. Didn’t you, pig?” The man, who had once tortured others, now kneeled in shame, sobbing before Immaculee. “He looked up at me for only a moment, but our eyes met. I reached out with tears streaming down my face, touched his hand lightly, and quietly said what I’d come to say. ‘I forgive you.’”
The man in authority was stunned… and furious. He later asked, “What was that all about? That was the man who murdered your family. I brought him to you to question… to spit on if you wanted to. But you forgave him! How could you do that?” Immaculee’s answer was full of grace and power. “Forgiveness is all I have to offer.”
Forgiveness works both ways… it is what we all need when we’ve sinned, but as we offer it to others, we are freed. Immaculee knew that if she and her fellow Tutsis simply lived to avenge the deaths of their loved ones, more murder and chaos was sure to follow. Where would it end? But when she forgave, God chose her to be an instrument of peace. Don’t think it is easy, but it is the only way. Charles now helps other Rwandan orphans regain their lives. He is called to bless… free from bitterness and hatred.
Jesus teaches us to love and forgive and show mercy, and we must to depend on Him to help us. Perhaps Charles and Immaculee…and Kinsey would say this is one of the ways God’s Kingdom comes to earth.
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:9-15